VIA begins work on “jet blast” area of new runway

Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) stated that the works have now begun on the “jet blast” area of the new runway.

The USD 400million project is a loan from China’s EXIM bank. The project is being handled by BUCG, a Chinese company.

The new runway is 3,400metres in length and 60metres in width, and A380 aircraft will be able to land on the runway once completed.

Slated to open during the last three months of 2018, the runway will have six layers of and the first layer of asphalt sheets has now been laid.

More than USD 800million is estimated to be spent on the developing works of VIA. Under this project, the development works of the new passenger terminal are being done by Saudi’s Binladin Group for USD 300million. The new passenger terminal will be developed in an area over 80,000sqft and is believed to accommodate approximately six million passengers.